Two years it’s been since I started this blog—Blogging Amish. I have to say, it’s been quite the adventure. Lots of interesting topics discussed, from Amish work to education, and even family life. That’s the thing. When it comes to the plain folks, there is usually no shortage of things that can be discussed. I was even able to write a few short stories in the mix, which were pretty fun. As a matter of fact, the short stories in and of themselves were actually more work than writing the standard articles. With the former, I generally have to go through them several times to get them right. More editing. More time-consuming. Worth it in the end, though. Besides, at times it was nice to take a break from the general topics. Anyhow, let’s go over some of those general things I have discussed, some highlights, some things are sticking out to me. Then I will talk about what I think regarding the future, as pertains to the Amish and even this blog.

       The sun glistened off a couple buggies parked right outside the windows. The empty pan bore some pizza crust left over from what had been a terrific late afternoon lunch. It was a Saturday, and my three Amish friends and I sat in one of the fabric-torn booths in the pizza shop. Right behind my friends’ buggies, out the old windows could be seen the roadway which passes closely by. Lots of traffic usually. Cars whiz by, certainly going faster than they should be. Oh, and the Amish. Howbeit, I wouldn't say they rip and roar. I would have to say that motorized vehicles are outnumbered by their unmotorized counterparts two to one. And sitting here in the pizza shop, I was the only English guy currently in the place. But there I sat, with my three Amish friends, oh, and the Amish girl Serra up front, the customer attendant, though no one else was here. Albeit, I don’t know who was in the back making the pizzas.

       Education. A foundational and structural topic. The Amish, just like any other group, has their own views on education. As a matter of fact, they have their own schools. But most people who are at least basically familiar with Amish ways would know this. Nonetheless, as the Amish certainly believe in outside of the home education, I want us to consider how this works. The varying facets of it. So, let’s spend some time today contemplating this topic and what Amish education is all about, and this with some contemplating on the future as well.

       Strewn about the table, we all sat there enjoying the aftermath of the food settling into our stomachs. My younger brother Joshua and my older, wiser friend Elmer besides myself. The eggs, bacon, toast, and potatoes had been fine. Really, this Saturday morning started out like any other. Being the beginning of April, the air was cold outside. Rising just about to 40 degrees I think it was. Though, inside the house the wood burning fireplace had gotten us up to, I’d say, around 75 degrees. The steam rose off the coffee perfectly. That was something my wife was particularly gifted at, fixing coffee. Whenever I tried to do it, it never turned out the same.

       A riveting parallelism I want us to consider is that of faith versus fear, and how this relates to the Amish world. Any group of people, I think we would say, to some degree lives by faith. That’s only common sense. But the faith we are focusing on today is faith that is the opposite of the concept of fear. Faith as in living by the good that is unseen, or the hope for good. This idea, then, is contrasted with fear, which is living by the bad that is unseen, or the bad which could happen in the future. It is the expectancy that bad is, or may happen. Nonetheless, let us examine my beliefs that the Amish do in fact live by faith, a virtuous faith, which is tied into their environment and what source they use to guide that faith. And after that, we’ll have a general discussion of faith versus fear as pertains to the Amish.

       Today I think it would be good for us to revisit evangelism among the Amish. And by Amish, I want us to consider the ways of the Old Order, New Order, and the Beachy Amish. I talked about this topic last summer here on this blog (Do the Amish Recruit? Why or Why Not?), but I want to dive a little bit deeper into it this time, and focus on the specific groups to a somewhat separate degree. Let's revisit this whole area of discussion and look at it. Particularly, today, let’s compare the practices of these three groups of Amish, and see how they go about recruiting others. We will also, in between all this discussion, consider how the lifestyles conceivably gear each group toward those ways, from upbringing to the living out of daily life.

       The landscape has changed. At least, the landscape as pertains to Amish work, and what they do. Yes, indeed. Most Amish aren’t farmers these days, and that fact may come as a surprise to many. I mean, it seems in casual pondering of it, like most Amish men would be farmers. Yet, we find that’s really not the case anymore. I believe the statistic scores somewhere under 10 percent in most populations. That’s not a lot of Amish tilling the land. Let’s just say 1 in 10. Not very many then. So what do Amish do then? Let’s explore this topic today. And another area related to this is, do any Amish women work outside the home? Another important related area to consider.

       No doubt exists that The Amish way began, or at least traditionally started, as a result of one man's hot-headed fury over the actions of his counterparts. Those familiar with the story of the beginning regarding Jakob Ammann know that it was he who got upset with his fellow church-folk and placed them under a ban, or a shunning. And it is said he did this rather hastily. I do not wish to get into the details of this historical event, but only note that The Amish, as we know them today, were actually born out of this contemptuous moment from the one man. Seems strange, really, considering the great emphasis, at least nowadays, on nonresistance within the plain group and its teachings. But I think that because what we are talking about here with Ammann dealt with fellow Christians, that the rules were different, and not necessary up for a nonresistant vibe.

       As the farm-bell rang, the eyes were fixed out the window into the fields where the corn was tall. Ready to be harvested those fields were. In fact, some of that harvesting would take place later this very day. That would be observed. But currently, the body stood there in the kitchen, surrounded by the retro appliances. Like something out of an old television show from 50 or 60 years ago. (Well, maybe.) Awaiting breakfast. Oh, and let’s not forget the classic wood burning stove on the other side of the room. A black, stand alone unit, with a black metal pipe that made its way up the ceiling. Classic for a farmhouse.

       The Mustang was parked toward the back of the lot. Out the front windshield, the eyes beheld the gravestones that stood against the plain fields, corn standing high. A nice, sunny day. When the right moment came, steps were made inside for the service. First time visiting this particular Beachy Amish church. Why this particular denomination (if we can call it that) of the wide-array of options in Lancaster County? Well, it was a sister church to the church, which by this point in time, had been visited several times in Holmes County. Sunday worship was to be had.

       The belief was present that a great deal was already known about the Amish. For sure. And it seems reasonable to presume that a lot is known currently in mind. However, last month a trip to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, shed some new light and opened up new areas of understanding that heretofore weren’t completely understood or studied. As it was thought through during the five day journey spent in those parts, several things were observed, really, even more than that, which bore a different form from what was already experienced or perceived at the time. Today, let us evaluate some of those observations and contemplate them.

       Anyone who has thought about or contemplated Amish ways will know very quickly that the Amish are all about structure. That is, structure and organization with fine lines. Boundaries. Ways to go about things. And assuredly, driving in further, it will be seen that they do not even agree on all of those. That’s what constitutes the different sects within the group as a whole, the group we just casually label as ‘Amish.’ These beliefs are in accordance with each subgroups personal beliefs, kind of like English church going, though at the same time, quite different. Overall, the Amish are organized very similarly looking at it from a ‘big picture’ perspective.

       What I want to talk about today are several of the recent influences on our society over the last 120 years or so. These are industrial, or technological influences I guess we could say. To get straight to the point, what I am thinking of today is: the telephone, the automobile, movies, television, and the internet. What I wish to do is go through each one of these areas as it pertains to where the Amish stand on them and how it is believed that they could be, or are, problematic. It is interesting how each of these advances, if you want to call them that (depends on who you are), have changed life as we know it, how it is experienced everyday.

       For almost any thriving group, it seems one of the goals is to grow—to gain new members, to get bigger and bigger for it carry on its legacy. Today, why don’t we consider this topic as it pertains to the Amish—as it pertains to how they grow. Do they use any methods to do so? Do they recruit, or evangelize, to use a religious term? Let’s think about this concept. Considering the importance of this particular concept, I think we will see for the Amish that they do in fact grow, but probably not in the way that most groups do, or how they do. It’s quite interesting to say the least.

       The Amish are an independent group of people. Definitely no doubt about that. Separation from the outsiders, from those who are not Amish, is what their whole existence is built out of. In fact, this independence exists because the Amish feel it is necessary to be pleasing to God. They believe they are called to be separate from the world, like the New Testament tells them to be. They take this in a very literal way that is displayed for everyone to see. Truth be told, they want people to know they are separate. That’s why they dress the way they do, and ride around in the carriages from place to place. That’s why their houses are dark at night.

       Standing there, I was peering out the wavy window in the front living room toward the roadway. Waiting for my wife to return with the rest of the children. Kinda of hard to see out of, these old, blurry windows. Timmy I had here with me. Being seven years old, I had kept him behind to help me with some of the chores. Always chores. No matter what time of day really. Upon waking. After breakfast. Arriving home from work. It didn’t matter. There were always chores to be done, especially on a Saturday like today. Milk the cows. Feed the horses. Check the batteries. With my son’s help, we had whipped through all these things and more a bit faster than I would have been able to handle by myself. So, there I stood looking out the window into the white, grainy day here in hot and humid July.

       Recently I spent several hours of my life—over five actually (yes, again)—watching the famous BBC miniseries of ‘Pride & Prejudice’ from 1995. The one starring Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle. I think this was actually the third or fourth time I’d seen it in full. The first screening was all the way back in high school. It was either 2001 or 2002 during my senior year, when I took my peer favorite ‘British Literature Through Film’ class. It was actually a pretty good class. Somehow they even managed to cram 'Braveheart' in the mix, which I didn’t like. Didn’t care for the movie back then and still don’t care for it even to this day. Not very historically accurate, I understand—far from it. Though, perhaps I should give it another chance. I do like Mel Gibson’s other famous movie (actually, there are a few... lol). Anyway, I’m getting off track here.

       If we’ve traveled across the great United States, we know that each state does things a little bit differently. Sure, this is clearly true in governmental bureaucracy, but it can manifest itself in simple little things like the way signs look or the way traffic lights operate. I can remember being in New Orleans as a kid, for instance, about 25 years ago, and around there you weren’t allowed to turn left. No left turns at the traffic lights. Instead, you would drive down the road, and they had areas where you could pop a u-ey. Just the way it was in those parts. Or, how about the freeway in Utah. I remember for some stretch of road the speed limit was 80 mph. Never seen a sign with that large a number on it. Was told they were trying it out to see how it goes. So little differences in the rules in different places. And so it is, we understand, with the different Amish church districts, and the various settlements.

       We as English folk are often enamored by things. Things in our lives should not be just as they are, but rather we want things to have a particular pizazz to them. A house is not just a house, but generally people want a ‘nice’ house. So, it is with the automobile. People want ‘new’ cars. Whatever it is, really, we desire it to be grand. That’s the outer-world’s way. Things become the focus of all our energy, our future goals, what we long to attain in and out of life. The belief is present that these wonderful things will make us happier, or further complete, on our journeys to the end, when it is all given up. The prevailing belief is that the nicer things of life bring more and more happiness.

       It is interesting to consider the mindset of the Amish when it comes to their beliefs—their religious beliefs that is. What is intriguing is the fact that they, like any Christian group, believes they are the ‘most’ precise as it pertains to understanding and living out the New Testament. I mean, after all, why wouldn’t they? They created their own group several hundred years ago. That’s why we have so many factions of Christianity. Usually everyone thinks their group is the rightest, unless they are simply there out of convenience or because they have friends of that particular group.

       While the English world turned round and round dealing with the virus of this unforgettable year, the Amish themselves, while also having the same tribulation, have faced a fair share of trials this year of their own. In short, it’s not been a good year for the Amish either. The waters have been rough all around. Lives have been lost. Times changed. Good has arisen from the evil. Yet, evil has had its fair share of time. There are times where I suppose both English and Amish alike wish they could just turn the clock back. Wish that somehow there was a way to go back before it all. Everyone had it so good, and it was taken for granted. I guess for myself, the thought had always been lingering in the back of my head that it could all fall apart. I knew history all too well. I knew it was possible.

       In contemplating Amish culture, I think there is that background thought that floats around in our heads from time to time of ‘What makes Amish life appealing?’ I mean, why is it so winsome—besides the obvious outward symbols that is? Well, I believe there are some good explanations when considering these questions. For those who have deeply thought about it, perhaps they’ve come to a similar conclusion as I have. Certainly, there is plenty to ponder when thinking about why the Amish culture seems desirable. Let’s go over some of those points today. I will list what I’ve come up with in no particular order.

       What I want to consider today is actually the lack of the use of meeting houses among the Amish—the lack of church buildings. From a religious standpoint, this is one of their distinct differences, really, one of their standout differences versus the English (everyone else). We English, for the most part, use church buildings to meet and worship in every Sunday. These stand-alone buildings are what we call “church.” And, I would say, for the most part, they aren’t used most of the rest of the week. Though, it certainly depends on the denomination and size of the church body.

       Oh, the discussion of electricity! It’s an important one. In fact, we know this is one of the pillars of the Amish—that is, not being associated with it. Or, at least, not letting it flow from the great power system that all of us ‘English’ are hooked up to. That is one of their main characteristics, their main and fundamental differences. Nothing wrong with that. If a person or group of people doesn’t want to use electricity, that’s up to them. That being the case, it undoubtedly presents a whole set of challenges, or again, what we as ‘English’ might perceive to be challenges. In reality, though, I think they really are challenges because after all, the Amish have to work with the world’s system to some degree. And not to mention what they observe the outside group having. That also certainly brings temptation and the desire to want more.

       My first experience with the Amish came just over three years ago. My father and I were driving along the open country up to my uncle’s place, just north of Mount Vernon, Ohio. Cruising at a steady speed, the speed limit of 55 mph, into my view up the road a distance began to emerge a black, squared off object. A Ford Model-T, perhaps, from afar. But, in getting closer, this was no Model-T, from some hundred years ago. No, this was something arguably older. This was a buggy being led by a horse. This was an Amish man, and he was apparently driving home from church. Makes sense being in the twelve o’clock hour on a Sunday. Either that, or he had skipped church to go to the local English supermarket. But that’s unlikely.